Malwarebytes adds Windows webcam monitoring

Malwarebytes rolled out a Webcam Monitoring feature in a recent update to Malwarebytes for Windows. The feature alerts users when a program attempts to access a connected camera and gives options to allow or block each request immediately.

A dedicated Webcam Monitoring section within the app’s Privacy Controls lists recognized programs, logs camera-access attempts and shows which processes are accessing camera hardware. Users can permit trusted apps, block suspicious ones and adjust notification preferences to receive more or fewer prompts.

Malwarebytes said the capability targets situations where malicious software hides inside files or applications that unexpectedly request camera permission, such as a document or PDF. The company described the feature as providing real-time visibility into camera access so users can respond to unfamiliar requests before images or video are captured.

The tool enforces a simple allow-or-block model so only explicitly trusted software can use the camera. The update focuses on endpoint-level detection and user-facing controls rather than network-only defenses.

To try the feature, users must update Malwarebytes for Windows and enable Webcam Monitoring from the Privacy Controls panel. Once activated, the product logs and displays camera-access attempts so users can respond immediately to unfamiliar or unexpected requests.